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Thursday, April 30, 2015

I'm thrilled to be doing a short contract with a wonderful painter, who at 93 is still going strong. working in an artist's studio is still my favorite thing.

when I was in my teens i wanted to be a painter.
when I was in my 20s I wanted to be an art conservator.
when I was in my 30s I wanted to be a mom.
in my 40s, I love what I do. all I've ever wanted mixed together perfectly.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

gasolina cafe serves up spanish influenced, farm-to-table cuisine as well as a good variety of coffee, tea, and sweets.

i had the (very tasty) breakfast stew, a traditional Spanish garbanzos con espinacas topped with a perfectly poached egg and crispy toasts. the latte was perfect as well. (coffee comes from Poway,CA roaster James Coffee Co.)

this is Chef Sandra Cordero's first brick and mortar venture and she wanted to open something close to home (lucky us!). she was in the house - prepping for a photo shoot - and took time to stop and chat with us.

even thought it was an overcast morning, it was nice to sit outside at the colorful tables and watch woodland hills go to work.

Wednesday, April 08, 2015

my favorite finds are those beautiful items that i use every day. (i came back from our d.c. trip with lincoln's gettysburg address captured on a tea towel.) these little bowls exemplify this. i use little bowls daily, for snacks and toppings & condiments at the table. (i love a well set dinner table, with pressed napkins and nice serving pieces. it gives a sense of completion & pleasure as we gather at the end of our day.)

Monday, April 06, 2015

such a treat to have today off. technically, it is because today is ceasar chavez day, but it is also easter monday, and i am reminded of the holidays of my own childhood.

we try to keep it simple. baskets filled with a few high quality sweets and something that they'll use. when the girls were little, a small toy or game, but now that they are older, a book, or last year a ceramic mug and this year a sweet monogrammed ring dish. (the bunny brought me the gin truffles!)

yesterday felt springlike and full. quiet time together, very good eating, noisy friend-filled traditions, and time with their horses. perfect.

Friday, April 03, 2015

oh what to say? it has been an AMAZING 5 days with these 27 AMAZING kids. we crammed as much US History into our days as possible - and had a lot of fun doing it. I learned so much about this nation - my adopted home - and its ideals of Freedom & Liberty. and so much from these kids, who impressed me to no end, and once again gave me faith, as these ideals are realized in them.

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

*this was likely the highlight of the trip for me. we had an amazing guide through the park service who told the story with all on the edge of their seat - and led the kids in a bayonet charge! helped too by a beautiful spring day.